Originally scheduled for release in July, Marvel’s latest moneymaking franchise crash-landed in theaters two months early — just in time to ring in the summer movie season. Yay!

And while Peter Quill — or as he’d prefer “Star-Lord,” thank you very much — is charming and sweet and smokin’ hot (am I right?) he’s upstaged by a slightly more adorable character this time. “I am Groot.”

Sorry, Pratt Pratt; that’s just how it is.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” so named to complement the film’s killer soundtrack of renowned tunes, reunites Peter (Chris Pratt — meow!) with the eclectic team assembled in the first installment.

But we meet a handful of newbies, too, giving this follow-up a feel all its own to go along with its stunning look that starts off with a crazy battle serving as the backdrop — literally — for a Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) dance-a-thon.

The Sovereign, a group of gold-skinned, human-looking beings preoccupied with perfection, has hired the Guardians to protect its ultra-valuable Anulax batteries from inter-dimensional beasts.

And when one finally shows its truly ugly self, the miniscule scene stealer with the limited vocabulary and big, expressive eyes busts a tiny move to ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky” while Star-Lord, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Drax (Dave Bautista) are flung into frame or across the screen fighting this tentacled, needle-toothed creature.

The Sovereign High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) asks Peter about his heritage — and specifically about his father, to which he replies, “He ain’t from Missouri. That’s all I know.”

For now. This scene obviously sets up the film’s major plot point.

I am Groot.

And leave it to Rocket to do something stupid to get the group in trouble — and I mean besides insulting the Sovereign by collectively calling them “…conceited (bleep) bags,” though I’m not sure he’s wrong, and his delivery is unquestionably funny. (Wink).

Chased by a swarm of remotely piloted Sovereign crafts, the Guardians are forced to land on a nearby planet

The resulting chase leads to a long-awaited and destined meeting: “After all these years, I’ve found you.” This mysterious, wavy haired fella, Ego (Kurt Russell), then continues, “I’m your dad, Peter.”

“Guardians Vol. 2” explores the relationship between Peter and his father. But their connection isn’t the only personal or familial avenue traversed here.

We learn why Nebula (Karen Gillan) is so angry, and we gain insight regarding her strained connection to her sister Gamora; we hear a little bit about Drax’s daughter; we understand the decisions made by Yondu (Michael Rooker); we begin to see Rocket as more than a science experiment.

I am Groot.

While this sequel is emotional it’s also very pretty.

The colors used in space make it seem stunningly vibrant. Ego’s planet looks like Oz, with its lush landscapes, picturesque sunsets, cathedral-style architecture, and wispy clouds in front of deep blue or green skies. The visuals that bring Yondu’s telepathic arrow to life are quick and bright and allow our eyes to follow its swift, calculated and winding path of destruction.

There are several slowed motion scenes that look incredibly cool and add a little flair, such as when Taserface (Chris Sullivan) — snicker — and his cronies fall victim to Rocket’s boobytraps; or when Yondu’s arrow flies straight toward the camera, almost coming to a stop right in our faces before the camera shifts viewpoints and follows this arrow as it completes its mission.

And there are a lot of slow-motion sequences that are enhanced — in terms of both dramatic effect and coolness — by some of the rockin’ tunes selected for the movie’s “Awesome Mix Vol. 2” soundtrack.

Besides another collection of great songs, something that has stayed consistent from the first film to the second is the humor. God bless!

The sequence during which Rocket and Yondu attempt to escape incarceration is, one of the film’s most delightful. They need the assistance of Baby Groot, but Yondu is unaware that the tiny tree has no idea what’s required of him. Rocket does, so he’s not surprised when Groot repeatedly tries and fails.

But you can’t even be mad because … Baby Groot. C’mon.

Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) appear in a scene from Marvel's "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2."(Photo: AP)

There still are the little jokes and pop culture references. David Hasselhoff gets a few substantial mentions. And there’s a shout out to Pac-Man.

And again, the banter between Star-Lord and pretty much every Guardian is worthy of note. He has verbal spats with Rocket; the “trash panda” bit? So funny. And there’s an “unspoken thing” with Gamora that’s intended to be sort of romantic, but given their history and her aversion to his advances it becomes more of an inside joke.

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At the London premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," Zoe Saldana reveals why she said yes to the sequel, while co-stars Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff talk about how women are portrayed in the movie. (April 25)
AP

I am Groot.

This is probably the funniest I’ve seen Drax. Whether it’s his over-exaggerated laugh, or his unfiltered and precise comments, or the slight pause before he says something unintentionally hurtful — dude’s just straight-up comedic, and he’s not even trying to be. That’s why it works.

“Guardians Vol. 2” expresses more emotion because it digs deeper into what makes these characters tick, but it also stays true to what made the first film such a hit.